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Panic Attack Monster

A panic attack is a severe attack of anxiety and fear that often comes on without warning. Lasting anything from five to 20 minutes. Some symptoms may include:

A thumping heart (palpitations).

Sweating and trembling.

Dry mouth.

Hot flushes or chills.

Feeling short of breath, sometimes with choking sensations.

Chest pains.

Feeling sick (nauseated), dizzy, or faint.

Fear of dying or going crazy.

Numbness, or pins and needles.

Feelings of unreality, or being detached from yourself

How do you cope when your PAM jumps out of no where?

1) You need to understand that panic attacks are a state of mind – A panic attack can be scary, frightening and may make you feel like you’re having a heart attack. Panic attacks are NOT dangerous. It’s your anxiety built up, and your breathing increasing, which may cause the ”I can’t breathe” feeling.

2) Realise that you’re not alone – Panic Attacks happen to many people, and those at different ages. You may feel like you’re the only person and it’s making you feel isolated, but there could be someone, on that bus, tube, train etc with you that’s also trying to keep there PAM under control.

3) Get to understand what the panic is – A panic attack is adrenaline rushing through your body when it thinks there’s a life-threatening situation. This could be something that has triggered an event from your past that placed you in such a situation. Panic can be very scary, but your body is telling you to fight or run away from the situation. In this moment, there is no real danger – close your eyes, take a deep breathe and try and rationalise your thoughts.

4) Let people know who are close to you – Letting someone know is a huge help, if you’re out and about and your PAM is coming, letting a friend know may make your situation less daunting – she/he will be able to help you through it and help you to keep calm and to put everything in proportion and let you know that you’re safe and you’re not in danger.

5) Decrease your breathing – Slowing your breathing down will help you, it will allow you to feel more relaxed and able to ensure the right amount of oxygen gets to your brain.

TheSite.org also has a great section on how you can cope with PAM also!

TheSite have also put this great section up on getting to know your Panic Attack Monster – ”Have you been attacked by The Panic Monster? Think you’re the only one? Panic attacks may feel terrifying, but many people get them. And by getting to know your own panic monster better, you can learn how to tame him.”

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